Erica Weiss

Erica is a freelance theatre director and filmmaker based in Chicago, Illinois. She was the recipient of The Goodman Theatre’s Michael Maggio Directing Fellowship, and was the Associate Artistic Director of Route 66 Theatre Company for four years. Her primary passions lie in the development of new work and bringing female voices to the stage and screen. She is a longtime collaborator with playwright Caitlin Parrish, most recently directing their hit world premiere production of The Downpour for Route 66 Theatre Company as well as their first feature film The View From Tall with their company Teleporter Productions.

Erica is the director and co-creator of the hit world premiere production of A Twist of Water, written by Caitlin Parrish, and made her off-Broadway debut directing the play’s New York Premiere at 59E59 Theaters. Along with playwright Parrish, she was nominated for a Joseph Jefferson Award for ” Best New Work ” for A Twist of Water. Other work with Route 66 Theatre included the world premiere of Cicada by Jerre Dye (Joseph Jefferson Nominee for Best Supporting Actress and Best Original Music/Sound Design), as well as NEXT STOP: A New Chicago Musical, which she directed and co-conceived with composer Diana Lawrence.

Erica was the founding Artistic Director of Hypatia Theatre Company, where she produced four World Premiere productions, two of which (the critically acclaimed Red Georgia Clay and Florida Styx, both written by Caitlin Parrish) she directed. As a director, new play dramaturg, and assistant director, she has worked with many of Chicago’s biggest Equity Houses and smaller storefront companies, including Bailiwick Chicago, Steep Theatre, The Gift Theatre, Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, The Goodman Theatre, Victory Gardens, Northlight Theatre, American Theater Company, Chicago Dramatists, Stage Left Theatre, MPAACT, and more.

Erica is a graduate of The Theatre School at DePaul University, where she earned her degree in Theatre Studies with an emphasis on directing and new play development.